Removal Procedure
- Remove the plenum water deflector. Refer to Plenum Water Deflector Replacement - Center .
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Separate the brake hose (1) from the strut assembly.
- Remove and DISCARD the 2 brake caliper bracket bolts (1), and remove the brake caliper with bracket (2) without disconnecting the flexible brake hose. Secure the brake caliper assembly with a heavy mechanics wire.
- Remove the front brake rotor retaining screw (2), then remove the brake rotor (1) from the wheel hub.
- Remove the front wheel speed sensor fastener (1).
- Remove the front wheel speed sensor (2) from the steering knuckle.
- Unclip the front wheel speed sensor wiring harness from the strut and lower control arm.
- Install the CH-49376 holding wrench with the EN-956-1 extension (2) to the hub and fix it with 3 wheel nuts.
- Remove and DISCARD the wheel drive shaft nut (2) from the wheel drive shaft (1).
- Remove the front stabilizer shaft link upper nut (1), and disconnect the link (2) from the front strut.
- Remove and DISCARD the outer tie rod end nut (1).
- Use the CH-161-B puller to separate and remove the tie rod end (2) from the steering knuckle.
- Remove and DISCARD the front lower control arm outer nut (1), then remove and DISCARD the front lower control arm outer bolt (2).
- Using the CH-49400 remover (2), separate the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub assembly (1).
- Remove the strut mount cap (2).
- While supporting the strut assembly, use the CH-49375 wrench to remove the upper strut mount nut (1).
- Remove the strut mounting plate (3).
- Remove the strut assembly (1) from the vehicle.
- Disassemble the strut assembly. Clamp the strut assembly into a vice with jaw protective covers. Clamp the assembly, so that the jaws are positioned on the shock absorber tube (1).
- Remove and DISCARD the front shock absorber yoke bolt (3) and nut (1).
- Remove the yoke and steering knuckle assembly from the shock absorber (2).
Refer to Brake Caliper Caution .
Refer to Ball Stud Removal Caution .
To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, do not allow the weight of the vehicle to load the front wheels, or attempt to operate the vehicle, when the wheel drive shaft (s) or wheel drive shaft nut (s) are removed. To do so may cause the inner bearing race to separate, resulting in damage to brake and suspension components and loss of vehicle control.
Wheel drive shaft boots, seals and clamps should be protected from sharp objects any time service is performed on or near the wheel drive shaft (s). Damage to the boot (s), the seal (s) or the clamp (s) may cause lubricant to leak from the joint and lead to increased noise and possible failure of the wheel drive shaft.